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The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied an application to stay a consent judgment in which the Justice Department joined Texas to vacate a 2024 rule that let immigration judges set removal cases aside through administrative closure. The cities of Baltimore, New Haven, and Columbus, which sought to defend the rule, described the judgment as “egregious collusion.” (Docket.) (NYT.) (WaPo.)
Judge Ana C. Reyes (D.D.C.) on Monday preliminarily enjoined the Interior Department from felling any more trees at East Potomac Park, and from closing its golf course without sufficient notice. Judge Reyes held that the department likely violated the National Environmental Policy Act by reviewing the tree removal as a stand-alone project rather than as part of the full redesign. (Opinion.) (WSJ.) The government appealed on Tuesday. (Notice.) For background, see a previous Roundup.
Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui (D.D.C.) on Tuesday struck an unsigned superseding criminal complaint against Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, the former FBI officials charged last week with lying to Congress about the bureau’s Hunter Biden investigations. Judge Faruqui noted that prosecutors had filed new charges without any judge finding probable cause, asking: “Why today on this one case have you changed the entire history of how you charge cases?” (Complaint.) (Motion to Strike.) (AP.) (CBS.)
Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly (W.D. Pa.) on Monday held Attorney General Todd Blanche and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in civil contempt in their official capacities for violating court orders, after ICE agents rearrested a man in June despite a writ of habeas corpus ordering his release. (Order.)
Judge J. Michael Seabright (D. Haw.), sitting by designation in the Central District of California, on Tuesday disqualified First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli from supervising two prosecutions, holding that Essayli has been serving unlawfully since his interim appointment lapsed in 2025. (Order.) (Docket.)
Alaska’s election officials on Monday moved to dismiss with prejudice the Justice Department’s suit to block certification of the state’s Senate election if incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan loses, arguing that “the United States lacks authority to intervene in state elections at all, much less in support of a favored candidate.” (Motion.) For background, see a previous Roundup.
A federal grand jury in Washington on Tuesday refused to issue the indictment the Justice Department sought against Cassidy Hutchinson, the former White House aide whose testimony to the House Jan. 6 committee implicated President Trump. (NYT.)
Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd (W.D. Wash.) on Monday asked Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to sequester the ballots of over 400 registered voters whom the Justice Department asserts may be noncitizens. Hobbs responded that the request, and its timing, are “no doubt intended to cast unfounded suspicion on the results.” (Statement.) (Press Release.) (WaPo.)